Fountain in Plaça d'Espanya

The fountain at Plaça d'Espanya is a monumental water feature standing at the center of one of Barcelona's largest squares, right at the foot of Montjuïc hill.

What is this fountain?

It was built in 1929 for the Barcelona International Exposition. The design came from Catalan architect Josep Maria Jujol, best known for his collaborations with Antoni Gaudí on Park Güell and Casa Batlló. Its original name was "Font dels Tres Mars" (Fountain of the Three Seas), a reference chosen by Jujol to symbolize the seas surrounding the Iberian Peninsula. The sculptural decoration was carried out by Miquel Blay, Frederic Llobet, and the brothers Miquel and Llucià Oslé. Before Jujol's proposal was chosen, the government commission under Primo de Rivera had actually considered placing a Monument to the Hispanic Race on this spot — the far more symbolic, artistic fountain design won out instead.

What will you see there?

The centerpiece is a set of three sculptural groups carved in white marble, representing the Ebro, Tagus, and Guadalquivir — Spain's three major rivers, standing in for the country's diversity flowing out to the surrounding seas. These are paired with three bronze figures by the Oslé brothers personifying navigation, public health, and abundance. The whole structure is built as a tiered, cascading composition typical of monumental exposition-era fountains, with pools, terraces, and richly decorated stonework. The fountain sits on the same visual axis that connects the former Las Arenas bullring (now a shopping mall) with the Palau Nacional at the top of Montjuïc, making it a natural landmark when exploring this part of the city.

How do you get there?

Plaça d'Espanya is one of Barcelona's main transport hubs. The easiest way in is by metro — the Espanya station is served by lines L1 and L3 — and the square is also a major stop for regional trains (Renfe/FGC) and city buses. The Aerobús airport shuttle from El Prat drops passengers here directly. The fountain sits right on the surface of the square, so leaving the metro station puts you essentially next to it, with no further walk required.

When should you visit?

The fountain is a public open-air feature, accessible at any time and free of charge — there are no opening hours or tickets. Early morning or the hour before sunset gives the best light for photos, when the square is quieter and traffic around the roundabout has eased. One thing worth clarifying before you plan a visit: further up the avenue, along Avinguda Reina Maria Cristina toward the Palau Nacional, stands a separate and far more famous attraction — the Font Màgica, known for its evening light-and-music shows. That is a distinct structure from the fountain on the square itself, and the two are easy to mix up.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the fountain at Plaça d'Espanya? It was designed in 1929 by architect Josep Maria Jujol, with sculptural work by Miquel Blay, Frederic Llobet, and the Oslé brothers.

What was the fountain originally called? Its original name was "Font dels Tres Mars" (Fountain of the Three Seas), a symbolic reference to the seas surrounding the Iberian Peninsula.

Is this the same as the famous Magic Fountain? No. The fountain on Plaça d'Espanya stands on the square itself, while the Font Màgica with its light-and-music show is located further away, at the foot of Montjuïc along Avinguda Reina Maria Cristina.

Is there an entrance fee? No, it's a fountain in open public space, accessible free of charge at any time.

What's the easiest way to reach it? Take metro lines L1 or L3 to Espanya station, or the Aerobús from the airport — the exit leads directly onto the square.